• Galatians 5:16-21
    I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
     
  • Romans 7:14-21
    For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.
     
  • Romans 7:23-24
    But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
     
  • Galatians 5:24-25
    And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
     
  • Romans 8:1
    There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
     
  • Romans 8:4-6
    that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
     
  • Ephesians 2:3
    among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
     
For more scripture references, please see Bible verses for Flesh and Spirit


Resources

Works of the Flesh

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The concept of flesh and spirit is central to understanding human behavior and the struggle within each person. The flesh, derived from the Greek word "sarx," encompasses human nature in its raw state, including thoughts, feelings, desires, and actions apart from God. These are the natural inclinations of man, often driven …


Sin Is Spiritual!

'Ready Answer' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In addressing the concept of Flesh and Spirit, a dualistic conflict emerges as a central theme, reflecting a struggle between opposing forces such as matter and spirit, evil and good, darkness and light. This cosmological clash, where no overlapping or gray area is permitted, underscores a perpetual battle throughout time and …


The Christian Paradox (Part Two)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In the journey of salvation, a profound conflict arises between the flesh and the Spirit, marking the Christian paradox. Despite being called holy by God, we remain in the flesh, unchanged in our human essence, still carnal as Paul described the Corinthians. We are saints, yet we sin frequently, grappling with attitudes …


God Works in Mysterious Ways (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God has providentially given us trials to build character, proving beyond a doubt that we believe Him and have a burning desire to be at one with Him.


Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Ten)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The vast majority of Christian-professing churches has been saturated with pagan doctrines (like antinomianism and dispensationalism), derived from Gnosticism.


The W's and H's of Meditation (Part Three)

Sermon by David F. Maas

Developing the daily habit of meditation on God's Word can displace that deadly carnal nature, replacing it with Godly character—the mind of God.


Original Sin and Holiness

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God gave Adam and Eve a neutral spirit and free moral agency; they chose the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, predisposing their offspring to sin.


Sin (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

True Christianity is no cakewalk into eternal life, but a life and death struggle against our flesh, the world, and a most formidable spirit adversary.



For more resources, please see the library topic for Flesh and Spirit